Hospital recognised as national leader in innovative recycling program

07-11-2018

The Buderim Private Hospital has this week been recognised for its leadership and support of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and aluminium recycling in hospitals program by Baxter Healthcare.

The ‘PVC Recycling in Hospitals’ program is an innovative solution to help reduce landfill waste and create a sustainable healthcare system in Australia.

Wallis Westbrook, General Manager of Buderim Private Hospital, said he was proud to accept the award on behalf of the hospital.

“As an organisation committed to holistic care and sustainability, the Buderim Private Hospital is conscious of the connection between the environment and human health,” Mr Westbrook said.

“Our mission as part of The Uniting Church is to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and the community and we believe this calls us to address the current needs of our communities, while also being responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us that will meet the needs of the generations to come,” he said.

“This award from Baxter Healthcare recognises the collective efforts of both our organisation and committed hospital staff members who strive to care for the environment and work for a sustainable future.”

The Buderim Private Hospital is a leading provider of healthcare services on the Sunshine Coast – the hospital cares for almost 25,000 patients each year, performs around 15,000 surgical procedures and utilises more than 50,000 IV bags.

The program includes collection of Baxter intravenous (IV) bags as well as other high-quality PVC products including oxygen masks and oxygen tubing. Material collected as part of the program is diverted from landfill to recycling here in Australia to make garden hoses and playground matting. It is the only recycling program of its type in Australia.

Baxter General Manager Australia and New Zealand, Steven Flynn, congratulated the Buderim Private Hospital on its leadership and support for both the PVC and aluminium recycling in hospitals programs.

“Baxter is proud to partner with Buderim Private Hospital to reduce the environmental footprint of our local healthcare system. Buderim Private Hospital and the other UnitingCare hospitals were among the first hospitals in Queensland to join the ‘PVC Recycling in Hospitals’ program, and the first to launch the ‘Aluminium Recycling in Hospitals’ program,” Mr Flynn said.

“Thank you to the team at Buderim Private Hospital for embracing this local sustainability initiative and leading the way to divert PVC and aluminium waste from landfill to recycling in Australia.”

Baxter Healthcare arranges distribution of designated recycling collection bins within the hospital, organises staff training on correct disposal and logistics for the collection of the bins. The recyclable waste is collected and delivered to a local Australian certified PVC recycler.

It is estimated that through its participation in the program, the Buderim Private Hospital is able to recycle more than 1.5 tonnes of PVC - that’s enough to make about 12km of garden hose or 575 outdoor play mats. Approximately 200 tonnes of hospitals waste is recycled locally in Australia each year as part of the program.